Warmth first
A child who feels safe takes risks — and a child who takes risks grows. Encouragement is where everything starts.
Our story
Big dreams start here.
From a small Oakville basement to Waterdown’s leading performing arts academy — the same belief has carried us the whole way.
Our origin story
The CBY Academy was founded by husband and wife team Christian Bell-Young and Karen Bell-Young. They opened their doors originally as CBY Music in 2017 from a small basement in Oakville, where they started with just 4 students.
After relocating to Waterdown in the Fall of 2017, they continued to build their brand, quickly establishing themselves as the leading performing arts practitioners in the Flamborough area. As a result, the CBY Academy grew at an exponential rate.
Today, CBY enjoys a premium location in the heart of Waterdown, just off Highway 5, and is responsible for the artistic development and education for hundreds of young people from all across the GTHA.
What we believe
The CBY difference
Real skills
We’re warm, but we’re serious about progress. Genuine craft, taught well, that shows up on stage.
Every path
No two performers are the same. We meet each student exactly where they are and where they want to be.
Take the stage
Nothing builds confidence like performing. We create real chances to step up and shine.
Our team
The people who bring CBY to life
Professional performers and educators who genuinely love what they do — and who your kids will love right back.
Team photo coming soon…
Christian Bell-Young
Academy director, co-owner & co-founder
Team photo coming soon…
Karen Bell-Young
Program director, co-owner & and co-founder
Team photo coming soon…
Bree McLean-Roberts
Program head (senior theatre), acting & dance teacher and co-owner
Team photo coming soon…
Alysa King
Program head (junior theatre) & voiceover acting teacher
Team photo coming soon…
Jessie Kerr
Office manager & piano, flute & singing teacher
Team photo coming soon…
Graeden Bourne
Social media content coordinator
Team photo coming soon…
Rochelle Ing
Dance & theatre teacher
Team photo coming soon…
Kailea Banka
Theatre & acting teacher
Team photo coming soon…
Cal Mulder
Guitar & ukulele teacher
Team photo coming soon…
Mary Pickford
Piano & singing teacher
Team photo coming soon…
Jon Horvath
Drum teacher
Team photo coming soon…
Adelaide Lamb
Piano & singing teacher
Team photo coming soon…
Vanny Baikie
Assistant instructor (theatre)
Team photo coming soon…
Samantha Mason
Assistant instructor (theatre)
Team photo coming soon…
Sophie MacCormack
Assistant instructor (theatre)
Team photo coming soon…
Victoria Sharp
Camp CBY Supervisor
Team photo coming soon…
Madison Deppe
Flute & piano substitute teacher
Team photo coming soon…
Tyson Kramer
Guitar, drums & piano substitute teacher
Team photo coming soon…
Gabe Sanchez
Piano substitute teacher
Come be part of the story.
The best way to understand CBY is to see it for yourself. Book a drop-in lesson and meet us.
Book a drop-in lesson